Need to move a large slab without cracking it

awl51 · May 16, 2011

I am the new owner of a large slab of bluestone, 15ft x 5 ft x 4 in thick, that weighs approximately 4000 pounds. It used to be the entry for a church built in 1856. It has already been moved 30 miles once (flat) via trailer to its current location. I will need to move this on the highway 300 miles, and would appreciate any advice on how to minimize the chances of its cracking.

Some details:

* Moving it vertically is not an option. It will need to be moved flat.
* It will be transported on my dual-axle landscape trailer with plenty of weight capacity, just enough room, and electric brakes.
* The slab will be put on that trailer by a commercial crane when I arrive.
* I intend to put timbers every 3 feet or so under the slab's length, and then drive wooden wedges from the front so that the bottom of the slab contacts each timber in 2 or 3 places snugly.
* It'll then be strapped down well and wedges re-snugged. Drive at 60 mph max. Check wedges and straps again after each 100 mi.
* Unload via crane at destination and put on a tamped sand pad.

One thing I was wondering was whether it might make sense to put either some rigid foam board or rubber sheeting underneath each timber to act as a sorted of damper between the inevitable bumps on the highway. The trailer axles have springs, of course, but I though that "pad" might provide some additional protection against jolts. Then again, whatever the "pad" is might tend to compress and eventually work the wooden wedges or - worse - straps loose.

Any thoughts? Anyone ever done this before?

Thanks -

-Andy

Rustyiron · May 16, 2011

I thought that I was the only one to do something as Kookie as that! Sounds like a really neat stone. How about a complete layer of junk tires under the stone and only "softly" tying down the stone?

Rustyiron · May 16, 2011

Another thought, only support 2/3? 3/4? of the stone legnthwise, let a few feet cantelever in the air, it should support itself a few ft. This might avoid any frame flex that the trlr. might have?

whateg0 · May 16, 2011

I don't know about your trailer, but most flatbeds twist quite a bit. Tying it to the bed solidly will mean the trailer will try to twist it. Why can't it be moved vertically? That seems like it would be the most stable way to get it there in one piece. If it HAS to be moved flat, I think I would try to make a "pallet" of sorts that will help distribute the load evenly and then move it like Rustyiron suggested, on something soft.

edit: looks like Rustyiron thought of the trailer twisting thing too.

Dave

dave1949 · May 16, 2011

Rustyiron said:
I thought that I was the only one to do something as Kookie as that! Sounds like a really neat stone. How about a complete layer of junk tires under the stone and only "softly" tying down the stone?

That sounds like a good idea. The tires would act like springs and automatically spread/distribute the weight.

With timbers, there is always the chance from settling/shifting that you end up with one acting like a fulcrum where the stones own weight plus the inertial force generated by road bumps, puts a lot of pressure across one point. Running the timbers lengthwise would reduce the fulcrum problem a bit.

A nice piece of bluestone 15' X 4' is worth the effort.
Dave.

beenthere · May 16, 2011

The timbers underneath should have the wedges under them to take up gaps, not wedges between the timbers and the stone. Don't think you want to create stress points in the stone.

I agree that the stone shouldn't be tied tight to the trailer that will want to flex some. However, the stone will likely be able to withstand some movement (just don't know how much and you don't want to find out).

duckhunter27 · May 16, 2011

I would do some checking how they moved it last time?? Must have worked.

DAY · May 16, 2011

duckhunter27 said:
I would do some checking how they moved it last time?? Must have worked.

Yes; and call a quarry- you have lots in New England, and they move bigger pieces than that, all the time.

Gizmo2 · May 16, 2011

Rustyiron said:
I thought that I was the only one to do something as Kookie as that! Sounds like a really neat stone. How about a complete layer of junk tires under the stone and only "softly" tying down the stone?

I like this idea.
I recently bought 3 slabs of bluestone custom cut for my needs, approximatly 3 ft x 5 ft x 1-1/4 inches thick. I put them loose in the back of my truck and 50 miles later no issues. The point is the stuff is stronger than you may think.
I'd go with the tire idea.

forgeblast · May 16, 2011

I live in bluestone country, we have a nice place on our property that may make a good bluestone quarry (once its logged.) Most of the bluestone is put on oak pallets and some of the larger pieces use smaller pieces of bluestone under them so that the forklift can get them off.

Pennsylvania Bluestone .Com "It's all about Bluestone"
(there is a chat area there they may be able to give you more info.)

Pennsylvania Bluestone is a layered sandstone found only in the northeastern tier of Pennsylvania, parts of northern New Jersey and the southern tier of New York. The quarried product has many uses, from cut dimensional stone used in patios, walkways and stair treads to architectural stone used in buildings. It is also used for wallstone, decorative boulders, natural steps and other landscape features. The name Pennsylvania Bluestone is due to its predominantly blue color and because the majority of stone is quarried in Pennsylvania; it can, however, appear in many other hues besides blue. It was formed over 360,000,000 years ago during the Devonian Period as large inland seas deposited sand in the Catskill delta region. It is composed of feldspar, sand, and mica (among other minerals) and is clear of most organic residues. Pennsylvania Bluestone is a layered sandstone found only in the northeastern tier of Pennsylvania, parts of northern New Jersey and the southern tier of New York. The quarried product has many uses, from cut dimensional stone used in patios, walkways and stair treads to architectural stone used in buildings. It is also used for wallstone, decorative boulders, natural steps and other landscape features. The name Pennsylvania Bluestone is due to its predominantly blue color and because the majority of stone is quarried in Pennsylvania; it can, however, appear in many other hues besides blue. It was formed over 360,000,000 years ago during the Devonian Period as large inland seas deposited sand in the Catskill delta region. It is composed of feldspar, sand, and mica (among other minerals) and is clear of most organic residues.

CurlyDave · May 16, 2011

Rustyiron said:
... How about a complete layer of junk tires under the stone and only "softly" tying down the stone?

I think you would be better off with 4 or 5 truck inner tubes, inflated until they were about the same size as a tire. Keep the inflation pressure the same in all the tubes and there is nothing to stress the stone slab. Lie them on their sides and lower the slab onto them.

I have seen this done in Russia, where Russian optical scientists use inner tubes to float and vibration isolate optical tables that weigh several tons. Works just as well as the American method involving expensive air suspension legs.

Build a crib to keep it from walking off the inner tubes, and you are all set.

Don't tie it down at all, just keep it from walking. Even a "loose" tie down will cause enormous stress, when the slab bounces up in the air from a bump.

CaptPicky · May 16, 2011

Be careful towing anything over 14' tall. You might run into some low bridges or low branches.

Carl_NH · May 16, 2011

Along the lines of the tires another option is to go to the dump/recycling place or a mattress store and pick up two old queen tops 7'Lx5'W then strap the plate down leaving 1-2" for movement. If the surface is uneven this will allow it to move.

If its flat and not irregular then two 4x8 pieces of 2" white stryrofoam (has open cells) would do a good job strapped directly to the bed. The celotex, or pink board tends to be more rigid and not flex.

schmism · May 17, 2011

I would build a rig to hold it on its side.

you can tip it up on its side, then use straps to lift it while its vertical and set it in your A shaped rig and strap it down.

use the stones thick 5' width as strong dimension to take the stress of the transport.

3 or 4 blocks of wood under the edge is all that is needed.

riptides · May 17, 2011

Got any helicopter pilots around?

sixdogs · May 17, 2011

Some good thoughts but calling a quarry sounds wise.
I like the idea of pallets coved by plywood and that covered with 2" foam insulation.
No wood shims needed that could cause probs, the flex issue is taken care of and the foam may well be squished flat but should take up variations in thickness.
Maybe 55 MPH rather than 60. Congrats on a remarkable find.

Ductape · May 17, 2011

Am I the only one who is dying to know what you are doing with this piece of bluestone ???

PossumHound · May 17, 2011

Ductape said:
Am I the only one who is dying to know what you are doing with this piece of bluestone ???

Ditto!:thumbsup:

JB4310 · May 17, 2011

Sounds like a beautiful piece of stone, but also sounds like a terribly unstable dimension to try and move even just a little. at 15 feet long and only 4 inches thick, it's main goal in life is to try to break.

I have never seen such a long piece of blue stone, I have seen granite and brownstone that large (on church steps also) but they are 10 - 12 inches thick. Don't even know how they got yours out of the quarry.

Any time I've seen large stone transported it has been on edge, with cribbing and blocking on both sides.

If you must lay it down, one thought comes to mind, it may be way off, but how about a 6 inch bed of soft mulch to lay the stone on, then box in the sides so the bedding doesn't fall out?
That may give you an even soft support???

Good luck, JB.